STEAM SCHOONER SALAMA

Built in 1874 by the Vyborg Workshop Length 31,0 metres Beam 7,0 m Draught 2,5 m Machinery: 39 indicated HP Top speed 7,5 knots

"Salama" ("Lightning") was built in the transition period from sail to steam. She operated on a regular service from Joensuu through the Saimaa Canal to Vyborg and St. Petersburg, with occasional trips as far as Lübeck. Her passenger capacity was 60.

In the evening of 13 September 1898 "Salama" was on a return voyage from St.Petersburg when the passenger steamer "Ilmari" rammed her starboard beam near Puumala, south from Savonlinna. The crew and the passengers were rescued, but the ship sank in a depth of 30 meters. Attempts to raise her were unsuccessful and so "Salama" was left in her watery grave for 73 years.

After her mast had been caught in the winch rope of a passing tugboat lumber company Enso-Gutzeit decided to test its salvage gear and raised "Salama" in 1971. She was restored as a museum ship and opened to the public. In the cargo hold there is an exhibition about the story of "Salama" herself.

PASSANGER STEAMER S/S SAVONLINNA

Built in 1904 by Paul Wahl & Co. Workshop in Varkaus Length 27,8 m Beam 6,6 m Draught 2,4 m Machinery: 200 indic. HP Top speed: 11,5 knots

As the fastest passenger ship on Lake Saimaa "Savonlinna" was also called "Saimaa Express". Most of her active life she sailed between Lappeenranta and Savonlinna carrying spa guests, for example.

The golden years of Saimaa steamers ended in 1939 when the Saimaa Canal was closed because of the war. The fleet of white-sided passenger steamers was last owned by a joint company established by the municipalities of Lake Saimaa in 1967. The company could not change the falling trend of Saimaa passenger traffic and it went bankrupt in 1982. When the fleet was auctioned "Savonlinna" was bought by the town of Savonlinna. "Savonlinna" was partly destroyed by a fire in 1927. Today, she is restored to her original appearance.

STEAM BARGE S/S MIKKO

Built in 1914 by the Savonlinna Workshop Length 30,4 m Beam 7,1 m Draught 2,4 m Machinery: 80 indic. HP Top speed 6 knots

Wooden steam barges such as "Mikko" were a typical sight on Lake Saimaa from the beginning of the 20th century to the 1960s. They were nicknamed as `tar steamers`because of their tarred sides. They carried mainly timber and firewood on Lake Saimaa and to St. Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm.

"Mikko" was owned by Enso-Gutzeit and it was in regular service until 1967. The company donated the ship to the town of Savonlinna in 1970. The wood-fired steam engines of "Savonlinna" and "Mikko" are still intact. Every year both ships make excursions on special occasions.

STEAM TUGBOAT S/S AHKERA                                   

Built in 1871 by Paul Wahl & Co. Workshop in Varkaus  Length 23.15 metres ; beam 4,62 m; top speed 11.21 knots

The steam tugboat “Ahkera” (“Hard-working”) is the oldest museum steamboat in Finland. “Ahkera” towed timber from the upper parts of Lake Saimaa to Imatra, Kotka and Vyborg, sometimes even to St. Petersburg. “Ahkera” had several owners until in 1902 the lumber company Enso-Gutzeit bought the boat. Since then “Ahkera” towed rafts of bundled wood for the company until it was taken out of service in 1958. The white star on the funnel is a symbol of Enso-Gutzeit.

In 1971, “Ahkera” was restored as a museum boat at the Laitaatsilta dock in Savonlinna. In 2002, Stora Enso (ex Enso-Gutzeit) donated the boat to the town of Savonlinna. Two years later, “Ahkera” was moved to the Savonlinna Provincial Museum. The histories of “Ahkera” and the steam schooner “Salama” are linked, since it was “Ahkera” who rescued most of the passengers of “Salama” on the unlucky evening in 1898.

 

CHURCH BOATS

The two so-called church boats are examples of traditional rowing boats that were common all over Finland. Church boats were built and maintained jointly by the inhabitants of a village or by a group of houses. They were used mainly for church trips, but also for market and town voyages.

The biggest church boats were built in the surroundings Savonlinna, where large lakes dominate the landscape. Those boats could have been up to 40 meters long, 3 meters wide, having even 60 oars and carrying 120-150 persons. Usually church boats had only 7-15 oar pairs like the ones moored at the museum jetty.

Church boats were in common use from the Middle Ages until the beginning of this century, when passenger steamers replaced them. Today, church boats are used mainly in rowing contests.

CARGO BOAT "VAPPAA SAVO"

Built in 1998-1999 at Savonlinna Vocational College, length 10.5 metres; beam approx. 3 m; burden 7,300 kg.

Wooden cargo boats were used on Lake Saimaa until the beginning of the 20th century. They transported, for example, fire wood, pelts and butter to Vyborg and St. Petersburg. These boats were 10-16 metres long and equipped with a sail.

The model of the cargo boat is based on found wrecks as well as drawings from the 1920s, made by folklorist I.T.Itkonen. In the spring of 1999, the cargo boat “Vappaa Savo” (“Free Savo”) was moored at the jetty of Savonlinna Provincial Museum.

 

Open in 2007:   15 May - 2 September Entrance fees:  Adults: 5 euros / 2 euros (Provincial Museum and the museumships / only the museum ships) Students, Senior Citizens, Groups (over 10 people): 2 euros. Children 7-16 yrs: 1 euro Children under 7 yrs: free of charge Guided tour (by prior arrangement): 50 euros. Charter Cruises The unique museum steamers s/s Savonlinna and s/s Mikko are also available for excursions, cruises or special occasions. They will take you wherever you would like to go in the Lake Saimaa area. Both ships have facilities for meetings and dining. Why not visit the Retretti Art Centre, take an authentic passenger steamer to Savonlinna and visit the Savonlinna Opera Festival in the evening. For more information and prices please contact Museum Director Mirjam Kosunen or Savonlinna Tourist Service (info@savonlinnatravel.com). Email: mirjam.kosunen@savonlinna.fi Tel:  +358 (0)15 571 4710 Fax: +358 (0)15 571 4717

Savonlinna Provincial Museum Riihisaari FIN-57130 SAVONLINNA, FINLAND Tel: +358 (0)15 571 4712 Fax: +358 (0)15 571 4717 Email: museo@savonlinna.fi

 22.8..2007 mk